Electrically-heated apparatus.



APPLICATION FILED JAN- l5| I913.

Patented July 13, 1915.

WITNESSES:

I at v I:

ATTORNEY O. A COLBY.

ELECTRICALLY HEATED APPARATUS.

APPLlCATlO-N HLED JAN. I5. 19l3.

Patented July 13, 1915.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

4 INVENTUR 6M 2/ ATTORNEY WITNE.

7 N T D srAr s PATENT OFFICE.

one A. COLBY, or WILKINSBURG. PENNSYLVANIA, AssIGNon TO WESTINGHOUSEELECTRIC AND MANUFACTURING COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYL- VANIA.

ELIECTRIC.ALLY-HEATED APPARATUS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 13, 1915.

Application filed January 15, 1913. Serial No. 742,171.

new and useful Improvement in Electrivcally-l leated Apparatus, of whichthe following is a specification. My invention relates to electricallyheated apparatus, and itis has special reference to cooking ranges andovens of the so-called heat-storagetype which embody masses of materialfor accumulating or storing heat which is supplied thereto electricallyat a substantially low and constant rate. whereby the heat that is thusaccumulated may be available for future use at any desired rate.

()ne of the objects of my invention is to simplify and improve theconstruction and operation of-devices of the above indicated character,and to provide a compact and durable structure of great utility whichmay be operated economically by reason of its high thermal efficiency,and which may bereadily adapted for a variety of cooking operations.

Another object of my invention is to provide aunitary structureembodying a cooking range and an oven, each of which is provided with aplurality. of heaters or so called hot plates to be thermally associatedwith a mass or body ofmolten material that is contained within areceptacle having a plurality of separate compartments, saidreceptaclebeing disposed within the body of the range and enveloped or em beddedby suitable heat-insulating material whereby excessive radiation andloss of heat are prevented.

A still further object of my invention is to provide adequate meanswhich. may be readily manipulated and controlled by the operator forthermally associating any one of Ethe hot plates with the heated storagemass, whereby said-mass ofmolten material may be raised orelevated-throughsuitable passages orfpipes into the hot plates.

. My" invention "may be best understoocl y reference. to theaccompanylng drawings, in-

which-J F igure 1- isa View, partially in section and refer-red to asthe molten mass, may be partially in side elevation, of a deviceconstructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a view in front elevation. Fig. 3 is a plan view, partially insection, of the apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. -l is a view, partiallyin section and partially in side elevation. of a modified formof myinvention, and Fig. is a detail view, partially insection, of a portionof the apparatus shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3.

Referring now to Figsl, 2 and 3, the apparatus shown comprises a range1, an oven 2, a receptacle 3, a mass of heat-storage material walls ofheat-insulating material 5,

and a plurality of regulating crevices 6.

The range 1 embodies a plurality of hot pl-tes 7, 8, 9 and 10 which areof like construction and each of which comprises a hollow disk-shapedmember which may conveniently be of cast iron or other si-milar-ma--terial and-is provided with an opening 11 into whicl 'is fitted a pipe12, said pipe projecting downwardly into one of the com'-- partments ofthe receptacle 3, as hereinafter set forth.

The receptacle 3 is shown: as a single cast lron member, although otherforms of receptacle may be employed, and is divided into severalcompartments, 13 to 18 inclusive, by means of partitions 19. Thereceptacle 3 is located centrally within the main body of the range 1,and is embedded in walls of heat-insulating material 5, wherebyradiation of heat therefrom is prevented. Disposed immediately beneathbottom wall 20 of the receptacle '3, and in proximity thereto, is anelectric heating unitQl which is provided with leads 22 that terminatein a suitable terminal box 23 having electric connect-ionsto an externalsource of energ The specific structural detailsof the electric heater 21form no material part ofmy :pres ent invention, it beingpermissible.to;einploy any type ofelectric heater that-isi-suitable foraccomplishing the desired results. i It shouldvbe understood that,under: normal operating conditions, elect c -energy-is supplied to :theheatercontinuously at-a low rate andxsaid energy is delivered-andimparted tothe I heat 5 storage -;mass-- that is,-

contained in receptacle 3,,whereby said heat? aistored and accumulatedfor future use.

'The' rheat-storage material, herelnbefore bismuth, zinc or tin or.anyotherelement or 45 vided'with ports-40 and 4:1. The ports 40 alloywhich has a very low melting point, as well as high volatilizationpoint, and I do not wish to be restricted to any particular elements.

It will, of course, be understood that the several hot plates, 7, 8, 9and 10, are in communication with the respective com- .partments 14, 15,17 and 18, by means of pipes or passages 12. The compartments 13 and 16are respectively in communication with thehot plates 25 and 26 by meansof passages or pipes 27 and 28. The hot plates- 25 and 26 are similarinconstruction to those herembefore described and are respectively locatedadjacent to the upper and to the lower wall of the oven 2, which may beof any well known construction and may have a plurality of shelves 29and a door 30.

The several wallsof the oven, as well as.

. .of the range 1 in a similar manner to that which is employed in thewell-known gas ranges The several valves, ust referred to, are of likeconstruction and all are connected to a horizontally disposed pipe 37which is connected to a reservoir 38 by means of a pipe 39. Thereservoir or tank 38 may be of any suitable construction that isfamiliar to those skilled in the art, and is adapted to contain air, gasor other suitable fluid under compression. Furthermore, each of thevalves, 31 to 36 inclusive, is preferably of the three way type and isalso proare open to the atmosphere and the ports 1 are connected, bymeans of pipes 43, to

the several compartments 13 to 18 inclusive. Inasmuch as this type ofvalve is well known in the art, no further detailed description isconsidered necessary. It should be understood, however, that the severalpipes 43 are connected to the compartments near the upper walls thereof.

Assuming that the control valves just described are 'all closed, thatthe mass of molten material occupies its lowermost posi-,

tion within the receptacle 3 and that heat is being supplied theretofrom the heater 21, the operation of the apparatus is as follows IIncase it is desired to perform acooking operation upon the hot plate 8,it is only necessary to operate the valve 32 in such manner as to allowthe compressed medium plate 8.

that is contained within the reservoir 38 to enter the compartment 15through the valve 32, whereby the molten material in said compartment isforced upwardly. through the pipe 12 into the hollow disk-shaped hotThus, heat is transmitted to the surface of the hot plate 8 from themolten material A for cooking purposes. Any desired amount of heat maybe secured and good regulation of the temperature may be obtained bysuitably operating the controlling valve, whereby the height of themolten material within the pipe 12 and hot plate 8 may be adjusted asdesired. After the cooking operation is completed, the valve 32 isoperated to allow the compressed medium to escape into the atmosphere,thereby relieving the compression within the compartment and permittingthe molten material to be lowered to its normal position.

A similar controland regulation of the molten'material with respect tothe other hot plates of the range, as well as the oven, may besecuredand, on account of the similarity of the operation .to that which hasjust been recited, no further description.

thereof is deemed essential. Obviously, in order to secure satisfactoryoperation, so far as the oven hot plates 25 and 26 are concerned. it isnecessary that pipes or passages 27 and 28 be of'liberal size and wellsurrounded by heatinsulating material, so that the molten mass, as it isforced upwardly into the hot plates, shall not become cool and thusobstruct the passages.

Reference may now be had to Fig. 1, which is a view ofa modification ofmy invention, comprising a range 14, a receptacle 45, a mass ofheatstorage material 1, walls of heat-insulating material 5, and aplurality of manually operated pressureregulating devices A6.

The receptacle 45 is located centrally within the'main body of the range14, and is embedded in walls of heat-insulating material '5, wherebyradiation of heat therefrom is prevented. V The receptacle is dividedinto a plurality of compartments 45 by means of partitions 15 Disposedimmediately beneath bottom wall 4.7 of the receptacle 45, is an electricheating unit 21. which is provided with leads .22 that terminate in asuitable terminal-box 23 having connections to an external source ofenergy.

Integral with the receptacle 45 are a plurality of hollow cylindricalprojections 48,

the integral top surfaces 49 of which serve as hotplates for purposes ofcooking; On the outer side of receptacle 45 is an integral cylinder 50projecting within said receptacle and having a head 5.1 and astufling-box 52. A piston 53 is adapted to reciprocate within thecylinder 50 and is mounted on a rod 54 which extends throughthestuiling-box 52.

A short link 55 is pivotally mounted on the free jendofrod i, and a bellcrank lei-1156 srdomlected to the link; dandis pi ota-llymounted; on abracket; to i-m-partl motion to heipiston 5.3., The-lever $56 isproyided latching. paw-lwhichis adapted to .engagenotches 159 in;asegmental. guide 60,:

whereby the piston 53 is heldin any desired P t on-i.

-Xssuming the: leyel of the, molten whenthe piston 5.3 1s at the outwardL; liml o,f. its, traehis some distance below the details. and l'ocationsand arrangements of parts, it will be understood that manymodifications-maybe effected therein without departing-froni the spiritand scope of my inyention, and such modifications are intended tobe-coyered by the appended claims.

I claim as niy-invention: 1. In an electric heating apparatus, thecombination with a heating surface and a receptacle containing a body ofheat-conveying material, of electrical means for maintainimgsaidmaterial in a molten condition, and means for transferring a portion ofsaid molten material 'to said heating surface and 40 withdrawingittherefrom, as desired.

2. In an electric heating apparatus, the combination with a plurality ofheating surfaces and a receptacle containing a body of heat-conveyingmaterial having a low melting-point and a high volatilization point, ofelectrical means for maintaining said material in a molten condition,and means for transferring a portion of said material to each of saidheating surfaces and With- 5 0 drawing it therefrom, as desired.

- 3. In an electric heating apparatus, the

combination with a plurality of fixed membersadapted to radiate heatimparted thereto, of an electrically-heated receptacle, moltenheat-storage material disposed within the said receptacle, and means fortrans- .ferring portions of said material to said heat-radiating membersand withdrawing it therefrom, as desired. I 4. In an electric heatingapparatus, the combination with a plurality of fixed members adapted toradiate heat imparted thereto, of an electrically-heated receptacle,fluid heat-storage material-disposed therein, and 5.. means fortransferring a portion of said mationed receptacle, "fluid heat} storagemate 1,146,310 p a v 3 terial toany or alto sai members and desired 5-.In an electric heating at combination with a -pl1l' ra l ity i fiXednibers a d a pted .to a dia t e heat impa rte d. th to, of i anelectrically-heated,, plilrally-parti 'ithdr ring rial disposedtlierein,and'means fortra'nsferring 'a portion of said material toanyjor all ofsaid heat-radiating memb' and wit lidrawing it therefrom,asfdesired, I

6. In an electric stove, the combination with a plurality of finedplates adapted t6 radiate heat imparted; tlieretoll of'an electiically-heated receptacle hayingjfa. plurality of compartments severallyassociated with said plates, molten materialdispos'd within saidcompartments, and indiridually 'concontrolled means for transferring aportion of said material from any compartment to the corresponding plateand witl1d v ing it therefrom, as desired. a a l. if i 7. In anelectricsto'ye, the] combination with a' plurality of fixed pla'jtes a'ip'ted to radiate heat imparted thereto, of an elec ri cally heatedreceptacle having a plurality of compartments severally "a ssociatedwith i said plates, molten material disposed hinjsaid compartments, anda plura lity' offindiyidii ally-controlled means for imposingpressureupon said material inj any"compartmentto transfer a portion thereof,ojthe corresponding plate and withdraw thesarne therefrom, as desired. J1 j 8. In an electric sto e," the 'com bina'tibii with a plurality offixed heat-conducting plates, of an electrically-heated receptaclehaving a plurality of compartments severally associated with saidplates, molten material disposed withinsaid compartments, and aplurality of individually controlled means for imposing fluid pressureupon said material in the respective compartments to raise a portionthereof from any compartment to the corresponding plate for cookingpurposes and for Withdrawing said fluid pressure, as desired.

9. An electric heating apparatus, embodying an electrieally-heated,thermally-insulated receptaclehaving a plurality of compartments, aplurality of heat-radiating members severally associated therewith, heatstorage liquid material in said compartments and means for eX-ertingpressure within said compartments -to transfer a" portion of the liquidtherein to said heat-radiating members.

10. An electric stove, embodying an electrically-heated,thermally-insulated *receptacle having a plurality of compartments, aplurality of heat-conducting plates, a plurality of pipes or passagesfor severally connecting said compartments to said plates, anda-plurality of ir ividuaHy-controlled said molten material through saidpassages v to said plates in said range and said oven for cookingpurposes.

12,. A heating apparatus embodying a heat-radiating member, anelectrically-heated receptacle, heat-insulating material surrounding thesame, molten material disposed within, said receptacle,-and means fortransferring a portion of said material to said member and withdrawingit therefrom, as desired. 5

'13. A heating apparatus embodying an electrically-heated,thermally-insulated receptacle, molten heat-storage material disposedtherein, and means for utilizing the stored heat in said material byforcing portions of the material to heat-radiating points andwithdrawing the same, as desired.

14;. A' stove embodying an electricallyheated receptacle,heat-insulating material forming a casing therefor, heat-storage fluiddisposed within said receptacle, and means for raising portions of saidfluid to the top of said casing for cooking purposes and restoring thesame to the receptacle, as. desired. I

15. In a heating apparatus, the combina-.

tion with "a receptacle provided with a plu-,

' rality of hot plates, means'for heating said receptacle, and moltenmaterial disposed therein, of an independent pressure system for forclngsaid material into proximity to any desired hot plate;

v16. A heating apparatus 'embodying a heated receptacle, aheat-insulating casing for the same, molten material disposed withinsaid receptacle, and means for displacing a certain portion of saidmaterial. a

. 17. A heating apparatus embodying an electrically-heated,thermally-insulated re-. ceptacle provided with a plurality of hotplates, molten material disposed within said receptacle, andma'nually-operated displacement-members for forcing said materialintoproximity to any desired 'hot plate.

18. A stove embodying an electrically 6'0 A vided with a plurality ofhot plates, molten heated thermally-insulated receptacle promaterialdisposed within said receptacle,

and manually-operatedreciprocating lungers for displacing a certainportion 0 said material and forcing the same into proximity to anydesired hot plate.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name this 9th day ofJ anuary, 1913.

01m A. COLBY. Witnesses:

' H. J. MoHALE, B. B.-HINES.

